The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has severely criticized the Karnataka government for systemic failures in crop weather monitoring, resulting in farmers being denied fair compensation during droughts, floods, and crop losses.
Recent CAG audit reports (covering 2023–2025) have exposed glaring deficiencies in the state’s disaster and weather surveillance infrastructure. The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) installed thousands of Telemetric Rain Gauges (TRGs) and Telemetric Weather Stations (TWSs) to provide accurate, real-time data.
However, as of December 2023, 2,770 out of 6,358 TRGs (43%) and 463 out of 834 TWSs (52%) were non-functional. This has crippled the collection of reliable rainfall and weather data, making precise assessment of crop damage impossible.ZAVERI PEARLS Rose Gold Tone Dazzling Austrian Diamonds Embellished Party Bling Cuff Bracelet For Women-ZPFK12103
The government was required to form Crop Weather Watch Groups (CWWG) to monitor drought conditions and trigger timely relief measures. CAG found these groups largely ineffective, with no regular high-level meetings and poor information flow.
As a direct consequence, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) crop insurance scheme is not being implemented properly. In districts like Shivamogga, areca nut farmers received reduced or no compensation, with insurance companies citing faulty or non-working weather stations as the reason to reject claims.Rare Summer Hailstorm Hits Karwar Amid Scorching Heat..!
Despite farmers’ protests and demands for rightful payouts, the lack of accurate, verifiable data allows insurers to deny legitimate claims. CAG further highlighted misuse of government funds, gross neglect in maintenance of equipment, and complete failure to generate usable outcomes despite crores of rupees spent on projects since 2019.
This administrative negligence has misled farmers, prevented accurate loss assessment, depressed rural incomes, and contributed to rising farmer suicides. Even after repeated High Court observations and now this damning CAG report, there are no visible signs of reform or corrective action.Loans for Crops Turn to Dust in Rain: Hailstorm Buries the Farmer's Life in Mud..!
The state government must immediately strengthen the weather monitoring network, ensure regular Crop Weather Watch Group meetings, fix non-functional stations, and provide compensation based on verifiable data.
Failure to act urgently risks completely eroding farmers’ trust in the administration. Civil society and citizens must raise their voice to demand accountability and justice for Karnataka’s farming community.Increased chill and the onslaught of fog in the state..!